Chronic Wasting Disease Detected in Dozens of Deer in Maryland
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources reported that 62 deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) last year. The first confirmed CWD case in Maryland occurred in 2011, and the new infections raise the state’s total cases to 285 since that time. Maryland and 35 other states have reported CWD cases. No CWD infections in people have been detected but health departments urge the the public to avoid consuming the meat of CWD-infected animals.
Unfortunately, chronic wasting disease continues to spread nationally, regionally, and within the state of Maryland,” said Karina Stonesifer, Wildlife and Heritage Service Director. “As the disease spreads within Maryland, we will continue to monitor it closely to provide the public with reliable information and manage the impact on our deer herd.”
Full Story: CIDRAP
Measles Breaks Out in New Mexico Jail as Other States Report Cases
A prison in Deming, New Mexico has confirmed 5 measles cases, increasing the state’s total to 86 infections across 8 counties. New Mexico health officials are investigating the outbreak to try to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Utah confirmed 2 additional cases, increasing the state’s total for this year to 5 cases. The two new individuals infected include an adult and a child, neither of whom are vaccinated. Kentucky also reported a measles case this week. This case is connected to international travel.
The 13 additional cases this week raised the country’s total to 1,227 across 37 states. The US is now only 48 cases from reaching the number of infections recorded in all of 2019, which was the worst year for measles since the disease was declared from the US in 2000.
Full Story: The Associated Press, CIDRAP
